curiosities #3

dance : biases : solon

I’m Tuğba, a Turkish-Greek artist living in Berlin - as slow as possible is a newsletter exploring the in-between spaces of our lives that we see but often do not notice. Interested in reading more of my work? Consider subscribing:

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I continue to be captivated by the art of collecting curiosities. If you are new and would like to read more about this idea and what it entails, read curiosities #1 and #2 here. Curiosities are not merely physical objects; they encompass the emotions we've felt, the thoughts we've pondered, and the sights we've encountered. They reside in our hearts, minds, and souls, perhaps finding a physical place within our homes. Our curiosities can be relived through storytelling or kept within purely for our pleasure and not to be shared with the world. 

Last year, what began as capturing the fleeting moments in my daily life blossomed into a passion for unveiling the beauty in the mundane. Through careful attention, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, transforming our daily existence. Too often, we drift through life on autopilot.

Amidst the world's noise and distractions, it becomes harder to be present. Our minds disengage, seeking constant stimulation, resulting in fleeting attention spans. Yet, we can slowly awaken to the beauty around us, employing our senses to bring vibrancy to the ordinary. I delved deeply into this topic in a post last year.

Last week, on the way out of my ceramic studio, I noticed an enchanting shadow play on the courtyard wall. A majestic, tall tree orchestrated these graceful light dances. I stood there for the longest time, mesmerised by the exquisite interplay of the tree, light, and wall. Now that summer has finally arrived in Berlin, the walls are all adorned with these beautiful dances. During your next walk, take a moment to seek out these light dances in your neighbourhood. Stand still and witness the magical dance.

unlearning my biases one book at a time

united art space

I stumbled upon “Rosewater” by

Liv Little

, a British writer with Jamaican and Guyanese roots, when

Pandora Sykes

mentioned it in one of her “shelf request” posts listing London-based novels. Having spent 12 years living in England and six years of it in London, I have a deep connection to the city. When nostalgia embraces me, I seek solace in books set in London. Rosewater is a beautiful novel that follows the life of Elsie, a Black, queer poet living in South London. 

I haven’t been as diligent about diversifying my bookshelf for months. Reading Rosewater was enriching for both my soul and mind! Taking a break from the usual white, heterosexual, cisgender characters that we come across in too many books has been refreshing. 

To read is to challenge, to unlearn, to see—a world beyond stereotypes! I firmly believe that if we only read books that confirm our existing views, we will continue to stereotype and have a minimal view of the world. We are all biased, and that has to be the starting point for all of us to truly expand our minds and unlearn our biases. 

I’m fortunate to be living in Berlin. It's pretty diverse compared to other cities in Germany. I know that not everyone wants to live in a big city, but that shouldn't be an excuse for not diversifying our minds through reading. Books are a wonderful way to open our minds to other lives, worlds, and realities. It doesn't have to be a book specifically about diversity and racism to expose ourselves to other people's experiences; reading a novel is a great way to work on our biases.

Γηράσκω δ' αει πολλά διδασκόμενος

While celebrating my 40th birthday in May in the beautiful setting of Crete with my closest friends, I found the months leading up to my birthday quite challenging. Ageing and I are not good friends, despite the reassurances I receive that “age is just a number.” After returning to Berlin, I’ve had time to reflect, and I must confess that I still haven’t fully embraced turning 40. However, I’ve realised that a certain continuity has woven through my life, regardless of age - 20, 30, or 40. Some constants have anchored me and have revealed my purpose: my pursuit of learning, a curiosity for the world around me, and a deep interest in understanding my inner self.

I bought a little book in Athens, "Words of Wisdom from Ancient Greece." A quote by Solon, an Athenian lawmaker from 630-560 BCE, caught my eye:

"I grow old, forever learning much.” - (translation from the book)

This simple yet profound sentence stirred something within me, encouraging deeper contemplation of the beauty of ageing. As I reach the milestone of turning 40, I find solace in the constant thread of my life’s journey, always evolving and continuously learning. No matter my age, this thread will follow me along my path!

My beautiful community is growing here. Thank you for taking the time and for all of your thoughtful comments. It truly means the world to me! 

To conclude,

Caro

from ZaronurmitC interviewed me for her newsletter. I cherish how this platform unites us from diverse paths and places, weaving us into one beautiful community. I enjoyed giving the interview! Thank you

Caro

.

Take care!

Your friend Tuğba

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What you might have missed:

artist notes to self

curiosities #1

curiosities #2

slowly moving ahead

if walls could talk...